Verve Records - The Jazz-Focused Creation of Norman Granz

1. Verve Records - The Jazz-
Focused Creation of Norman
Granz
By: Christopher Roberts

2. Verve Records - The Jazz-Focused Creation of
Norman Granz
Known as a pianist, composer, and musician in his own right, Christopher Roberts led
Universal Music Group’s Classics and Jazz Division for several years and was
responsible for ensuring competitiveness within a contracting industry landscape.
Christopher Roberts’ work with Universal Music Group involved oversight of a number of
the world’s most respected labels, including Philips, Deutsche Grammophon, Decca, and
Verve.

3. Verve Records - The Jazz-Focused Creation of
Norman Granz
One of the seminal forces in shaping the sound of 20th century jazz music, Verve
Records was founded by Norman Granz in 1955. The jazz impresario had achieved
renown a decade earlier through producing Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) events in
Los Angeles. He subsequently arranged concerts at top-flight venues, such as Carnegie
Hall.

4. Verve Records - The Jazz-Focused Creation of
Norman Granz
Granz established small labels such as Norgran and Clef as a way of promoting JATP
concerts and artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz, and Billie
Holiday.

5. Verve Records - The Jazz-Focused Creation of
Norman Granz
The impetus for Verve involved the idea of elevating the work of Ella Fitzgerald in a way
that would appeal to international audiences. This strategy worked and the label’s high
point came in 1964, when the Getz/Gilberto bossanova album featuring “The Girl From
Ipanema” achieved the Album of the Year Grammy Award.

6. Verve Records - The Jazz-Focused Creation of
Norman Granz
In recent years, the label’s roster has included major stars such as Smokey Robinson,
Diana Krall, and Natalie Cole.